In order to align or straighten your teeth or to address another dental issue like a gap, underbite, or overbite, a dentist or orthodontist may advise braces.
Braces can significantly improve your teeth, but it may take a few days or weeks for your mouth to become used to the added pressure.
During the first few days, you can also experience some pain or irritability near your teeth and gums.
The hardest adjustment, according to people who have worn braces, may be giving up some of your favorite meals.
While using braces, several foods should be avoided since they can damage the braces by getting stuck in them.
The best and worst things to consume while wearing braces are listed below, along with advice on what to do if you break your braces.
Read on to learn more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Your teeth can be improved by wearing braces.
✅ You run the risk of harming your braces and teeth if you consume improper foods and practice poor oral care.
✅ You can discuss what foods to avoid with your dentist or orthodontist.
✅ Please feel free to ask any queries you may have.
✅ Your treatment may take longer if you damage your braces, which will need you to wear them for longer.
When you initially receive braces, what can you eat?
While getting braces doesn’t hurt, the days after your appointment your mouth could feel sensitive. As a result, consuming meals with a harder texture may hurt. Your orthodontist will probably advise you to limit your diet to soft foods for the first few days because you’ll also need to learn a new way to chew.
Following braces, the following foods are recommended, Mashed potatoes, yogurt, soups, scrambled eggs, oatmeals, all grains, seafood, Juicy fruits, mild cheeses, steamed or tender vegetables, creamy desserts, and pasta. Generally, you can eat anything that’s simple and easy to chew.
After a few days or a week, the sensitivity will return to normal after getting braces. You’ll be able to somewhat resume your regular diet at that moment.
Foods to stay away from after getting braces
You should be aware of both the meals you can eat and the foods you should stay away from after having braces.
You can consume a variety of foods while wearing braces. Some “safe” foods, however, might not be the best choice right away after having braces because they can irritate your mouth and increase sensitivity and pressure.
After obtaining braces, you should avoid eating the following foods, Ice cream, dense bread and rolls, thicker meat slices, spicy dishes, and citrus-based foods. Once your teeth are used to having braces, you’ll be able to eat these things.
Things to continue avoiding when wearing braces
Remember that braces are delicate and should not be damaged easily, so you should avoid certain meals when wearing braces. These include meals that are hard and sticky and that can harm the wires or bands or separate a bracket from a tooth.
With braces, you should absolutely avoid the following foods.
- popcorn
- nuts
- Ice
- using gum
- Sticky candy
- Chewy sweets
- Pizza toppings
- bagels and other dense bread
- Crispy fruits and veggies
- crunchy crackers
- pretzels
- chips
Additionally, avoid consuming too much sugar when wearing braces. A sticky film (plaque) coats the teeth when sugar and saliva combine.
Plaque can be removed by brushing, although doing so is more difficult when wearing braces. Additionally, there is a chance of tooth deterioration if you can’t get rid of this clingy film. As a result, while the odd sweet treat is acceptable, try to keep your intake of sugary foods and beverages to a handful per week.
How to handle loose bands or wires on your braces
You will visit your orthodontist on a regular basis to have your braces adjusted while you wear them. Other problems, such as a loose or damaged wire or band, can arise in between routine adjustments.
This could occur if you:
- consume foods that are crunchy or sticky.
- gnaw on your braces.
- you’ve sustained a mouth injury
Make an appointment with your orthodontist straight away if you experience any problems with your braces. Delaying a repair or ignoring the harm could lengthen the time it takes for you to recover.
A broken wire or bracket should not be pulled or bent. You might harm people more. Instead, until you can see a dentist or orthodontist, cover the sharp edge with a piece of wet cotton or orthodontic wax.
Preserving dental health when wearing braces
One approach to prevent harm while wearing braces is to maintain healthy dental practices. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth at least three times per day, ideally right after each meal.
Remove any traces of food from the area surrounding your braces with great care. Utilize floss to clean in between your teeth and a floss threader to get food debris out from under braces and around the wires.
It’s crucial to visit both your dentist and your orthodontist for routine cleanings and examinations. Cleanings at the dentist are necessary to get rid of plaque buildup, which causes cavities and gum disease. Visits to the orthodontist guarantee that your braces remain fitted correctly.
A fluoride mouthwash may also be suggested by your dentist in order to strengthen your teeth and reduce the likelihood of tooth decay.
Learning alternative chewing methods might also help you keep your braces in good shape. It could be simpler to chew food with your back teeth, which are stronger, rather than your front teeth.